Chapter 34: Three Elders

Cheng Shan didn’t wait for a female ghost message and was forcibly taken away from the underworld by Yang Taizai and Hong Ying. Unable to wait, she sighed, feeling like she had boarded a stolen ship. She resigned herself to lying on the back of the old sheep, enduring about half an hour of the harsh winds before Yang Taizai finally stopped. Cheng Shan, feeling sore all over, fell off the sheep’s back, finally returning to the mortal realm.

It seemed to be a deep mountain and an old forest where they landed. It was so gloomy during the day that the time could not be discerned. About ten steps ahead, a dense white fog resembled a barrier, making it impossible to see anything behind it. Cheng Shan glanced around and couldn’t see anything. She sat on the ground, taking deep breaths, finally smelling the scent of the mortal world.

However, Hong Ying warned, “Be careful; the fog ahead is poisonous.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Shan quickly circulated her energy, purifying the qi in her body. She stood up, not in a good mood, and said to Yang Taizai, “Why did you bring me to this strange place?”

With a smile mixed with respect, Yang Taizai bowed. “In the Tiger Wolf City, words and deeds are critical. It’s best for the Princess to speak and act cautiously.”

Cheng Shan stared at him for a while, and she couldn’t help but realize what he meant. This old sheep probably wanted to use her as a puppet, playing the game of manipulating the emperor to control the lords. Cheng Shan shuddered at the thought, subconsciously looking around. Unfortunately, she found no way to escape. Up until now, she wasn’t sure about Yang Taizai and Hong Ying’s strength. She didn’t dare to turn against them and could only frown. She decided to take it one step at a time, reacting accordingly.

A moment later, a huge and fierce-eyed tiger walked out of the dense fog. However, it spoke in human language, saying, “Who would it be? It turns out it’s Elder Yang returning.”

Yang Taizai chuckled and stepped forward, bowing. “What a coincidence; today is the duty of the Tiger Guard. Please open the bridge.”

The tiger guard asked, “Elder, who are the two behind you?”

Hong Ying transformed into a long spear, shining brightly, standing next to Yang Taizai. Yang Taizai held the spear and planted it on the ground. The towering tiger then bent its forelimbs and bowed, saying, “Disrespectful!”

Perhaps Hong Ying’s appearance stunned the tiger guard, or maybe Cheng Shan’s companion, Zidian, also had some reputation. The tiger guard no longer questioned Cheng Shan’s identity. He stood up, roared to the sky, deafening everyone, and then, slowly, a long, round log extended from the thick fog. It looked like a suspended bridge, barely enough for a person to step on, and it seemed a bit precarious to walk on.

Yang Taizai transformed back into a sheep and said to Cheng Shan, “Princess, please come up. I’ll take you across.”

“Princess”—hearing  this title, the tiger guard’s gaze became even more astonished. He couldn’t even say “disrespect” anymore and stood there dumbfounded. Cheng Shan reluctantly climbed onto the sheep’s back, and Yang Taizai lifted her up, landing steadily on the wooden bridge. Hong Ying also transformed back into human form, following behind. Cheng Shan glanced back and realized that Hong Ying had been flying alongside her all the way, but now she obediently walked on the wooden bridge. It seemed that there was some restriction here, and only by crossing this bridge could they avoid the poisonous mist.

After a short walk, the white fog gradually dissipated. Cheng Shan rubbed her eyes and discovered that, with the fog dispersed, a dark stone cliff stretched before her eyes, towering a hundred feet into the sky. It was majestic and grand, covered with caves, outposts, and winding paths, creating a city-like structure on the mountain.

At the center of the cliff’s base was a half-open stone gate, guarded by two soldiers on each side. One had a tiger head on a human body, exuding a domineering aura, while the other had a wolf head on a human body, appearing cold and fierce. Together, they made up the living emblem of “Tiger Wolf City,” saving everyone the trouble.

Cheng Shan followed Yang Taizai towards the stone gate. As she looked behind the tiger guard, curious about the tail, the guard suddenly turned around, roared at her, and scared Cheng Shan. She stumbled and grabbed Yang Taizai’s clothes, avoiding the roar. Yang Taizai chuckled. “I’ve been your free ride for so long, and you still haven’t gotten used to it?”

Cheng Shan patted her chest, still frightened. “You… you… you’re more handsome than them.”

Yang Taizai, with a dignified smile, raised his eyebrows and said, “Thank you for the compliment.”

Hong Ying, silent on the side, sneered. At this moment, a voice from above said, “Old Yang is indeed handsome. He is our Yao Clan’s first elder.”

Cheng Shan knew that the joke about the “first elder of the Yao Clan” came from him. However, Yang Taizai seemed accustomed to being teased and didn’t mind at all. He even introduced Cheng Shan, “This is Teacher Ma.”

Teacher Ma looked at Cheng Shan and said, “And who is this…?”

“I sent a message back earlier, saying that I found the clue to the reincarnation of the Princess,” Yang Taizai replied.

“Just this little girl?” Another voice sounded. “Doesn’t look too promising.”

Cheng Shan turned to see a sturdy black bull jumping down from the stone room where Teacher Ma came out, landing in front of everyone and stirring up dust and stones. Everyone stepped back, and the bull, still shaking its head in the dust, transformed into an honest-looking man in black clothes. Yang Taizai introduced him: “This is Niu Butler.”

“Ahaha!” Cheng Shan looked at the three who had lined up, feeling puzzled. The renowned Yao Clan leader Qiyao probably made a living by herding cattle, right? Although Niu Butler’s words hit a nerve, Cheng Shan nodded without hesitation. “I also think it’s not too promising. Maybe you guys should consider changing.”

As these words came out, the three elders looked at each other, and Yang Taizai sighed helplessly, “Let’s not rush. Let’s settle down first. Maybe you’ll like it here.” With that, he gestured, indicating that Cheng Shan should explore the surroundings.

Cheng Shan followed the stone steps along the wall, casually looking around. She found that the spacious caves were filled with half-stone and half-wood structures, similar to the streets and alleys of ordinary human towns. The stone houses on both sides, with eight layers to the east and west and nine layers to the north, were connected by stone steps and ladders.

The stone houses ranged from taverns and teahouses to tailors and shops. Despite the small size, everything needed was available. Shopkeepers transformed from black bears, pythons, foxes, spiders, and more, and when Cheng Shan looked their way, they could all change into human forms, some even able to bow and greet. Cheng Shan had to endure the goosebumps and tried her best to smile naturally.

Hong Ying remained silent, following behind. The three elders did not publicize Cheng Shan’s “identity,” so there were only occasional disturbances from bottom to top, and those were caused by Yang Taizai.

Up to the ninth floor in the north, Yang Taizai entered first, followed by Cheng Shan. She found that this stone room was as large as the main hall of Luo City’s Fragrant Residence and had a circular stone table in the center. Not far from the stone table was a stone step leading to an open-air cave entrance. Yang Taizai smiled at Cheng Shan and said, “Don’t mind the roughness here.

The princess’s residence is actually elegant and comfortable. You can temporarily…” Yang Taizai was talking while leaping out of the cave. His face, previously smiling without deceit, turned into surprise. After a moment, he asked the Bull and Horse Elders, who were still in the lower stone room, “Where is the Feiyun Tower? “

 Cheng Shan saw his surprised expression, curiously climbed the stone steps, came outside the cave, and estimated that they were not far from halfway up the mountain. As the gaze of Yang Taizai fell, it revealed a scene of broken tiles, crumbling walls, decaying wood, and dusty fragments of fine silk and golden-honed jade platforms. It could vaguely be seen that there was once a women’s chamber, but for some reason, only the ruins remained.

Teacher Ma flew up and said lightly, “Oh, last month, the Tiger Guard and Wolf Guard Army had a battle, and it was accidentally demolished.”

Yang Taizai raised an eyebrow, sighed after a while, and said, “Forget it; stay here on the Moon-viewing Terrace for now. It might get a bit chilly at night, but it won’t take much effort to set up some wind curtains.”

Cheng Shan saw the worry on his face and didn’t dare to ask more. She silently followed him down.